Local Corona, CA Craft Classes.

Card Buffet

Come and join Prima Endorsed educator, Donna Salazar, as she invites you to partake in her Card Buffet complete with a well stocked Embellishment Bar. This class is full of innovative techniques. Donna will have you ripping, tearing, painting, inking, stamping, etc… AND you are able to make an unlimited amount of cards in the two hour class period. Donna will also be showing you how to make her signature paper flowers from vintage dictionary pages. This is a student favorite… you don’t want to miss it! You will need: paper trimmer, liquid adhesive (glossy accents suggested), tape runner (scrapbook adhesives suggested)

Love Storybook

Come and join Prima Endorsed educator, Donna Salazar, as she shows you how to use the Prima Paintable papers in unique ways. This class is full of innovative techniques. Donna will have you ripping, tearing, painting and cutting and there is even an option for sewing your paintable papers. Donna will also be showing you how to make her signature paper flowers from vintage dictionary pages. Plus… you will have access to Donna’s famous embellishment bar. This class won’t be taught again so make sure that you don’t miss it! You will need – a paper trimmer, liquid adhesive & tape runner Optional – sewing machine, edge distresser

Donna Salazar
Scrappers Café
Corona, CA
http://scrapperscafe.blogspot.com
951-372-8214
Oct 25th

Corona, CA based Villa De Corona Apts. Changes Hands for $3.5M

Newport Beach, CA-based WLA Investments acquired the Villa De Corona Apartments in Corona, CA, from a private investor for $3.5 million or $97,200 per unit.

The 24,305-square-foot multi-family building at 1083-1087 Circle City Drive was built in 1988 and is comprised 36 units. The property was recently converted into condominiums, and offers 900-square-foot two-bedroom/two-bath units.

Eberle Winemaker Dinner at BlackWood American Grill in Corona, CA

Date: Oct 22, 2008 (Wed)
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $75 plus Tax and Gratuity

Place: BlackWood American Grill
980 Montecito Drive
Corona, CA 92879

An exceptional dining experience that's one of our most popular offerings. You're invited to join us for yet another intimate evening with Winemaker Gary Eberle of Eberle Vineyards as we share the joys of our passion for great wine and quality times; while indulging in some spectacular new wine releases and familiar favorites. Delight your senses with an amazing wine and food journey that includes a five-course menu. Reservations required. Seating is limited. Reserve your table now. $75 per person (plus tax & gratuity).

Green Valley Initiative Receives $100,000 Grant

The Green Valley Initiative (GVI) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Southern California Edison (SCE) to help further the progress being made to promote clean and green technologies in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

GVI is a regional economic development plan launched in 2007 to promote renewable energy sources, alternative fuels, biotech, nanotech and other sustainable industries in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, a Southern California region referred to as the Inland Empire. To date, the boards of supervisors of both counties, the Western Riverside Council of Governments and more than 25 cities and public agencies have adopted resolutions in support of the initiative.

"Southern California Edison is excited to see the cities, counties, businesses, universities and community leaders of the Inland Empire working together to establish a better future for the region," said Les Starck, SCE Vice-President of Local Public Affairs. "The Inland Empire is ideally suited for these types of technologies for a variety of reasons, most notably its anticipated population growth, proximity to major transportation hubs and its boundless sunshine. We look forward to being a part of this important transformation for Inland Southern California."

Starck will present the grant to GVI Chairman Ali Sahabi Thursday at the U.S. Department of Commerce's National District Export Council Conference at the Wyndham Hotel in Palm Springs. The conference, "Travel & Trade, Redefining Exports," has dedicated a portion of its programming to clean and green industries, particularly those highlighted through the Green Valley Initiative.

Sahabi said the grant will help fund the necessary steps toward establishing an independent, regional entity that will assume operations of GVI in January.

"Southern California Edison is leading by example, showing the world that it makes good business sense to support the environment, support community and to support initiatives designed to benefit others," Sahabi said. "We are pleased to partner with them on this important effort."

GVI is a project of the Green Institute for Village Empowerment, (GIVE), a nonprofit organization established in 2005 to promote balance in the way people live, how their choices impact the environment and others in their community. GIVE hosts events and initiatives, and sponsors college campus chapters to educate the public on issues related to sustainability, a term used to describe this social, economic and environmental balance.

Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and pumpkin seeds...but pumpkin beer?

TAPS Fishouse & Brewery of Brea, CA and more recently also Corona, CA has put their Pumpkin Ale and Oktoberfest beers on. This multi award winning brewery has received very good feedback of these beers, especially the pumpkin ale, on Internet beer geek forums. I personally have not tried these beers yet but judging by the other beers I've had from them, I can only assume the chatter is pretty accurate. Hopefully by the time I get down there they haven't ran out.

AVAILABLE TOMORROW! $6 A GLASS ($4 HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS).

Chino Hills 4th annual Fall Harvest Day (this weekend)

4th annual Fall Harvest Day Come to Chino Hills fall harvest event with arts & crafts, a hayride, carve a pumpkin and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

5:30p to 7:30p

McCoy Equestrian and Recreation Center Chino Hills CA

OH NO THEY DIDN'T...RIVERSIDE RUPUBLICANS...SHAME, SHAME!

A Republican group in California has distributed a newsletter picturing Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on a $10 bill adorned with a watermelon, ribs and a bucket of fried chicken.

Various Republican officials have denounced the illustration for linking Obama to demeaning racist stereotypes.

The illustration appeared in the October newsletter of the Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated.

The group's president says she had no racist intent.


The Obama campaign has declined comment, saying it does not address such attacks.

The newsletter was sent to about 200 club members and associates last week by mail and email.

The club is a volunteer group that is not directly responsible to the state party, said California Republican party press secretary Hector Barajas, who denounced the newsletter.

Diane Fedele, president of the San Bernardino County group, says she didn't connect the images to racist stereotypes.

"It was just food to me. It didn't mean anything else," she told the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

Fedele said she had received the illustration in emails and decided to reprint it to poke fun at a remark by Obama that he doesn't look like other presidents.

"It was strictly an attempt to point out the outrageousness of his statement. I really don't want to go into it any further," Fedele told the newspaper. "I absolutely apologize to anyone who was offended. That clearly wasn't my attempt."

Sheila Raines of San Bernardino, a black member of the club, complained about the image to Fedele.

"This is what keeps African-Americans from joining the Republican party," she said. "I'm really hurt. I cried for 45 minutes."

Jewelry Making Classes provided by Corona Heritage Foundation

JEWELRY MAKING class starts November 1, 2008, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Design and construct a necklace and earrings. All materials provided. Limited space. $65. Call 951-371-6507

Ask about Nancy's painting classes - all level and skills!

Corona, CA OC sheriff's deputy charged with illegal Taser use

An Orange County sheriff's deputy has pleaded not guilty to illegally using a Taser on a handcuffed suspect in the back of a patrol car.

Prosecutors say Christopher Hibbs of Corona is charged with felony assault or battery by a public officer and assault with a Taser.

Prosecutors allege Hibbs used the Taser on Ignacio Gomez Lares on Sept. 13, 2007, when the man didn't give Hibbs his full name.

Hibbs' defense attorney, Robert Gazley, says his client was within the law when he used the Taser. Hibbs, who is on unpaid leave, faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

Sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino says the charges mark the first time a deputy has been accused of illegal use of a Taser since the department started using them about four years ago.

Great American Beer Festival Hands Out 222 Medals; Corona, CA takes 2 awards!

Category: 43 English-Style India Pale Ale - 28 Entries
Bronze: Hop Daddy IPA, Main Street Brewery, Corona, CA

Category: 63 Belgian-Style Abbey Ale - 53 Entries
Gold: Bishop’s Tipple Trippel, Main Street Brewery, Corona, CA
Silver: Abbey Dubbel, Flying Fish Brewing Co., Cherry Hill, NJ
Bronze: 6th Glass, Boulevard Brewing Co., Kansas City, MO

Riverside, CA Pot dealers busted through craigslist ad

Two arrested for posting Craigslist pot ads:

Who says pot doesn’t make you stupid?

36-year-old Ronald Gray and 30-year-old Frank Lewis, both of the Riverside, California area, were arrested after police noticed their ad on craigslist for high grade marijuana.

When police in Hemet, CA responded to their ad they found a nice little grow house. They also found pot plants growing outside, a few pounds of high grade pot in the house, and an unloaded rifle.

If this ad was blatantly stating that marijuana was for sale why wasn’t it flagged by craigslist’s infamous self policing community?

Credit Union Leases 22,000 SF at Riverwalk in Riverside, CA

Turner Development Corp., based here, has signed SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union to 22,000 sf of office space at Turner's one-million-sf Riverwalk mixed-use development in Riverside, CA. The property, which will serve as credit union's new telephone service center and regional office, is in the Towers at Riverwalk, part of the 400,000 sf of office space at Riverwalk. The project also includes 375,000 sf of R&D and industrial space, 100,000 sf of medical office space and 125,000 sf of retail including 11 restaurants and a 131-room executive style hotel.

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union will occupy the entire first floor of the building located at 4204 Riverwalk Parkway, which will serve as a its regional office, call center and full-service retail branch. The offices and telephone service center are set to open in November; the full-service branch is scheduled for a March 2009 opening.

SchoolsFirst FCU is the nation's largest educational credit union, with more than 391,000 members, approximately $8 billion in assets, and 27 locations in Southern California. Originally based in Orange County, the credit union now operates in 10 counties throughout Southern California.

Erin Mendez, senior vice president of finance and information services for SchoolsFirst, says that the credit union chose the Riverwalk location after evaluating a number of properties in the Inland Empire. Mendez says that SchoolsFirst chose the Riverwalk campus for its amenities as well as its convenient access off the 91 Freeway for a large and growing member base in the area.

The Towers at Riverwalk consists of two, four-story class A office buildings totaling 200,000 square feet. Construction on the buildings was completed in August. The credit union was represented by Rick Sherburne and Bob Taylor of Cushman & Wakefield, with Turner Development represented by Tom Pierik, Dave Mudge and Rich Erickson of Lee & Associates. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

El Cerrito park wins Funding and Support! See Corona, CA's latest Park Project.

Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner a the Sycamore Inn

Date: Oct 31, 2008 (Fri)
Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Cost: $50 plus tax and Gratuity

Place: The Sycamore Inn
8318 Foothill Blvd.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

Murrieta City Council Turns A Profit on Land Sale: Lets Send Them to Washington!!!

With All The Uproar About The Financial Markets and the lack of response from our elected Representatives in the nations Capitol as they continue to waste Billions of dollars it is refreshing to hear some elected officials are actually doing a Good job. The Murrieta City Council is one of the groups making sure the work they perform benefits those that elected them not themselves.

In September The Council Acting As The City Redevelopment Agencysold 9.8 acres of land situated between Madison Avenue and Interstate 15 behind, Wal Mart, for $5.2 Million The property is slated for development bringing 2 hotels plus restaurants to the area along with a possible car dealership and 53,000 square feet of Commercial Retail space as part of a 130 acre project called Cascada Del Sol.

What Is Unique About The Sale Of This Propertyis the fact that the City of Murrieta bought this land in 2004 for $3.85 million and sold it in 2008 for $5.2 million creating a $1.3 million dollar Profit. A Profit that will go back into the Redevelopment Agency fund to be used in other areas of the city. The development of this property will also bring in New sales tax revenue so it truly is a Win Win proposition for Our city and all of us who call Murrieta home.

A Profit in These Times is A Job Well Done!!!!

City Grille, I mean At My Place...NEW LOOK (Click the Pic)

Federal plan: paper, not property?

Questions remain over government ownership of property

The multibillion-dollar federal plan to buy up financial firms' bad assets in an effort to kick-start the credit markets has more to do with "paper" than property, say experts.

And while the details on the form and function of the plan have not been finalized, they also say there is the possibility that the government will end up owning homes as a result of the bailout plan's implementation.

Under the plan, the Treasury secretary can buy up to $700 billion in mortgage-backed securities and other assets -- the so-called "paper" instruments clogging banks' books -- to encourage new lending.

There are also provisions in the plan that require the Treasury secretary to seek to "maximize assistance for homeowners and ... encourage the servicers of the underlying mortgages" to encourage homeowners to participate in programs that are intended to minimize foreclosures.

And the legislation, signed earlier this month, provides that the Treasury secretary must work with other agencies and participants of securities pools to allow renters to remain in their homes under the terms of their current lease and to account for "the need for operating funds to maintain decent and safe conditions at the property."

Larry A. Rosenthal, executive director of the Program on Housing and Urban Policy at University of California, Berkeley, said, "There was no notion in the original proposal by (Treasury) Secretary Paulson that there would be the purchase of the underlying real estate assets," though the final legislation does involve "greater flexibility for assistance that would go directly to homeowners."

There is precedent for the public purchase of private property and other assets, he said, citing Depression-era programs and programs stemming from the savings-and-loan crisis of the 1980s.

The Resolution Trust Corp. was established by the federal government during the savings-and-loan crisis to sell off the assets of failed companies, and the RTC contracted with private auction companies to sell off commercial and residential properties that the federal government acquired through the failure of hundreds of savings-and-loan companies.

Likewise, a similar entity could be used to recoup taxpayers' costs during the current crisis, Rosenthal said.

"You need something that's quite agile, something that's quite savvy, and something that operates like a profit-making organization that doesn't come out of the government organically. It does come out of the marketplace organically," he said.

"I'm just hoping that all of the red tape and all of the protections in the system against public corruption -- that that doesn't translate into losing the kind of quick fix we need. I have a hard time believing that a lot of the big decisions are going to be made between now and election day," he added, referring to the Nov. 4 presidential election.

Delores Conway, director of the Casden Forecast for the University of Southern California, said that the federal government could end up owning property through the bailout plan.

Because of the complexity of the mortgage-backed financial instruments, the federal government may end up owning only a portion of some assets, as there may be hundreds of other investors who share ownership of those assets.

"It's not clear whether (the government) can actually gain access to the asset itself" in all cases, she said. "We're really waiting to see how this is going to be executed."

There may be instances of "clustering" of property financing within specific geographic areas, as a single mortgage broker or lender may have arranged financing for most of the homes in a single development area, Conway said, and it may be easier for the federal government to obtain direct access to those properties in such cases.

"It wasn't just random. There was some order to it, some organization -- often geographic," she said, citing Cleveland as an example of a city in which individual banks have taken ownership of thousands of properties.

It may be easiest for the federal government to focus on buying up the mortgage-related paper for loans that are geographically clustered, she said, as those would perhaps be the "easiest to buy and the easiest to restructure," or pursue modifications to keep homeowners in their homes and prevent foreclosure.

Liz Giovaniello, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Realtors, said that the current federal plan seeks to prevent the mass auctions of property that occurred during the savings-and-loan crisis, as it deals with financial companies that are still in operation rather than defunct companies. "Let's hope the bailout will restore confidence before all of that happens," she said.

Paul Bishop, managing director of research for the National Association of Realtors, also noted that the goal of the federal plan is to quickly engage in loan workouts to minimize foreclosure and federal ownership of property.

He said that distressed sales, including short sales of properties and sales of bank-owned (REO) properties, account for about one-third of recent home sales, and the association will continue to play close attention to "what role Realtors should play in clearing out all of these properties on the banks' books," as the Treasury plan unfolds.

The National Association of Auctioneers has been hopeful that its members may be able to assist the federal plan.

In a letter last month to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson that was also distributed to congressional leaders and financial industry regulators, the National Association of Auctioneers noted the history of the auction industry in contracting with the RTC to sell off government-owned properties.

"As the administration and Congress discuss solutions and remedies for the current financial crisis, one alternative that has emerged has been the resurrection of an agency similar to the Resolution Trust Corp.," the auctioneers' group noted in its Sept. 19 letter.

"The auction industry and the professionals who represent it assisted our government then, and we stand ready to assist it again today," the NAA wrote in the letter. A report by the NAA notes that residential real estate sales at auction rose from $11.5 billion in 2003 to $16.9 billion in 2007, a 46.6 percent gain.

Marty Higgenbotham, owner of Higgenbotham Auctioneers International Ltd., a national auction company, said he views the current financial crisis as "almost the same" as the savings-and-loan crisis in the late '80s and early '90s.

His company participated in about eight to 10 auctions related to the RTC assets, he said.

If the government does end up owning a lot of property through the implementation of the bailout plan, he said the best plan would be to put it on the market quickly.

"It doesn't make any sense for the government ... to hold on a property waiting for the market conditions to change. The depreciation of the property in the holding period will far exceed the appreciation (in a sale after the hold period) because the house in a year's time can just go to pot," he said.

"It's astounding what can happen in a year's time on a piece of real estate," he said, due to neglect and vandalism.

Meanwhile, Michael Davin, president of CataList Homes, a company that conducts property auctions through a partnership dubbed Zetabid (see Inman News) with auction company DoveBid and the Los Angeles Times Media Group, said he hopes the federal government does not auction off properties as a part of the bailout plan.

He said there is already a demand for buying up bank-owned properties, so those assets are not illiquid and there is no need for the government to buy and resell bank-owned foreclosure properties.

The federal government is more interested in buying up securities and other untradeable assets this time around, he said -- "not the underlying notes. There has been a market for nonperforming whole loans and seconds this whole time -- it's these funky derivatives and collateralizations that have been created that can't be sold. That's what (the federal government) is going to try to provide a market for."

He added, "If they do go into the whole loan market, there is a market for those now. The only reason for the government to play in that would be to provide an increase over retail value. Then (the government is) paying more than the market will bear."

There are still a lot of unknowns with the federal plan, though, said Davin. "They could ultimately ... buy homes, and decide, 'Let's create an affordable housing program.' You just never know what's going to happen."

There are some potentially big pitfalls with the government engaging in widespread mortgage workouts, Davin said, as some homeowners may decide to stop making mortgage payments in order to receive workouts.

"Hopefully with oversight it's done correctly. There will be challenges ... with any program of this magnitude," he said.

Mark Dotzour, chief economist at Texas A&M University's Real Estate Center, said he believes it is unlikely the government will seek to buy bank-owned property through its bailout plan.

"It seems that it would be good to remove the excess supply from the market," he said. "However, there is a strong feeling that excess demand drove house prices to unaffordable levels and that prices must continue to fall to restore affordability. As long as this view is held, it is unlikely that the government will make any moves to shore up home prices."

Riverside Medical Clinic Pledges $1 Million for UCR School of Medicine

Announcement Builds Momentum for Major Regional Effort on Health Care Education

RIVERSIDE, CA: Riverside Medical Clinic, a multi-specialty medical practice group long associated with the medical education program at the University of California, Riverside, has pledged a flagship private gift of $1 million toward development of the School of Medicine, it was announced today.

The pledge will establish the Riverside Medical Clinic Endowed Fund to support medical school activities. The gift will provide a source of funds for the medical school in perpetuity because endowed funds generate investment income while preserving the gift as principal.

“This pledge from Riverside Medical Clinic is an extraordinary endorsement of the UCR School of Medicine that recognizes the critical need to expand the physician workforce in this rapidly growing region,” said UCR Chancellor Timothy P. White. “I want to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Steven Larson, the Board of Directors and the entire staff of Riverside Medical Clinic.”

Established in Riverside’s Mission Inn in 1935, Riverside Medical Clinic (RMC) has grown into the Inland Empire’s largest provider of ambulatory care, comprising a multi-specialty medical practice group of more than 120 physicians serving patients in clinics located in Riverside, Corona, Jurupa Valley and Moreno Valley. In addition to adult and pediatric primary care, RMC staff includes specialists in areas such as cardiology, dermatology, oncology, obstetrics/gynecology and rheumatology, as well as orthopedic, vascular and plastic surgery. The group also offers vision care and women’s health services.

“The physicians and staff at Riverside Medical Clinic are proud of our support of UCR and of our continued partnership in raising the level of health care throughout the Inland Empire,” said Dr. Larson. “The UCR medical school is the answer to the need for an increase in the local physician workforce. Together we are all stronger.”

The University of California Board of Regents in July approved establishment of the medical school, which will respond to the critical need to expand and diversify the physician workforce in the Inland Empire.

The region faces a physician shortfall as high as 53 percent by 2015 and currently has poorer health outcomes than most California counties for a number of significant diseases, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes. The medical school will also develop research and health care delivery programs to improve the health of medically underserved populations.

The first incoming class of 50 medical students is projected to enroll in the UCR School of Medicine in fall 2012. Concurrently, the medical school will launch residency programs to offer the required training for postgraduate medical students to achieve board certification and medical licensure. Enrollment will ramp up gradually to a total of 400 medical students, 160 residents and 160 graduate students.

Riverside Medical Clinic becomes the first medical practice group to join the UCR School of Medicine Founders’ Circle, recognizing leadership gifts to the medical school of at least $1 million.

“Philanthropic support from Riverside Medical Clinic, and others, will position the medical school to make a real difference in the future health care of the people of this region,” said White. “In addition to providing an extra measure of excellence, private funding will help us maintain the momentum that is so critical for this project.”

Riverside Medical Clinic has had a long association with the UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Program in Biomedical Sciences, which offers the first two years of medical school instruction to admitted UCR students, after which students transfer to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA to finish their M.D. degrees. Larson is one of about a half dozen group physicians to serve on the clinical faculty of the program. RMC also offers summer “externships” for UCR medical students to gain experience working with practicing physicians and several physicians serve as mentors to students.

El Cerrito Sports Park to Board Tuesday

Good morning friends,

If you are receiving this note it is because I know you have a vested interest in our neighbors and community. I ask for your help and support. This Tuesday morning the board of Supervisor’s will vote on accepting the development cost bid for the El Cerrito Sport Park . The staff report with the background and cost structure is attached.

Please note that there were eight bids received with the one recommended for acceptance coming in approximately $4,500,000. less than the original estimate of $18,000,000. There will be no impact to the county’s General Fund. This is our money.

In these economic times spending $13,500,000. on a facility such as a park may seem ill timed, and I have heard that there is always the possibility of another Supervisor broaching this subject given the state of our economy. But even in hard times, children play, families picnic (even more so) and sports teams need fields. I ask that we look at the facts and send our encouragement for support via letters to Chairman Wilson and all members of the board urging their continued, unanimous support for our park. If you can attend and address them publically, even better. Supervisor Tavaglione has done an absolutely superb job in coordinating the land acquisition and partnership with Corona . He and the rest of the board have supported this as its wound through the county processes. Many years of planning and cost have brought us to this point, let’s see it through.

Please take a minute to remember:

El Cerrito residents have patiently waited for over ten years as our redevelopment fund accrued money for the community improvements we’ve been promised and supported.

With only 4,500 people in El Cerrito , our children have never had a park. Relying instead on El Cerrito Elementary, which was turned into a middle school several years ago, with no play equipment. But our children did have the rolling country hills and roads to ride bikes, see wildlife and be children who are now mostly adults with treasured memories of dark, star filled nights and sunny days, life in the country, . Our younger children are now bused to new schools in Corona . We recognize that we are no longer rural and have waited as all of the land around us and below us has blossomed with over 45,000 people, in new homes, with little neighborhood parks, shopping in new stores that El Cerrito residents did not protest for annexation or development.

This is to be a sports park with all of the amenities of a family park as well. This park is in an ideal, regional location and will serve tens of thousands of children from Corona , Norco , Gavilan Hills, Lake Matthew ’s and Temescal Valley .

The City of Corona is a partner with us in this park. While we have accrued the money for the purchase of the land and the development of the park it is the City that will fund maintenance. They recognize that all of us in the beautiful Corona and Temescal Valley ’s will be gaining a 26 acre jewel that will be used by families for generations. I thank the City for their cooperative efforts.

Please take time to pass this along and ask your friends and neighbors to send in their support.

The agenda item is below and will be heard as soon as possible after 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the County Administrative Center , 4080 Lemon Street , Riverside , 1st Floor Board Chambers. I have also included contact information for your convenience.

Thank you for taking the time to read my note and the attached staff report. I hope that you will join me in support for our park. I am sure there are some folks that will disagree and their comments are also respected but I do believe that the majority of us will agree that El Cerrito is ready to be host to all who will come and enjoy the new El Cerrito Sports Park .

Louise Mazochi
7740 Liberty Ave., Corona ( El Cerrito )
(951) 712-7086
louisemazochi@gmail.com

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING:

4.1 El Cerrito Sports Park Project – Award of Construction Contract to Valley Crest Landscape Development, Inc., and Approval of Project Budget, 2nd District.

Riverside County Board of Supervisor’s:

Chairman Roy Wilson, 4th District Rwilson@rcbos.org (951) 955-1040

John Tavaglione, 2nd District Jtavagli@rcbos.org (951) 955-1020

Bob Buster, 1st District Bbuster@rcbos.org (951) 955-1010

Jeff Stone, 3rd District Rstone@rcbos.org (951) 955-1030

Marian Ashley, 5th District Mashley@rcbos.org (951) 955-1050

Bill Luna, CEO Bluna@rceo.org (951) 955-1100

Additional information can be found at: www.countyofriverside.us

Hansen Natural Corporation and The Coca-Cola System Announce Agreements for Distribution of Monster Energy Drinks in Western Europe, Canada and Select

CORONA, CA: Hansen Natural Corporation (“Hansen”) (NASDAQ:HANS), The Coca-Cola Company (“TCCC”) (NYSE:KO) and Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (“CCE”) (NYSE:CCE) today announced that they have completed agreements for distribution of the category-leading Monster Energy® drinks line in six Western European countries, Canada and selected territories in the U.S. These agreements will complement Hansen’s existing relationship with Anheuser-Busch (“AB”) and will not affect Hansen’s agreement with AB for the on-premise channel nationwide.

The agreements will take effect beginning in November 2008 in the United States and parts of Western Europe, and in early 2009 in Canada. As part of the agreement with TCCC, Hansen has the right to negotiate distribution agreements with additional Coca-Cola bottlers to service the TCCC territory not covered by CCE.
“We are pleased to be partnering with the world’s leading beverage system to expand the retail presence and penetration of our Monster Energy® drinks,” said Rodney

Sacks, chairman and chief executive officer of Hansen. “We believe the relationship with The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises will enable us to build on the success of our Monster Energy® brand in North America and expand into fertile new international markets. In the United States, the relationship will complement our existing long-term arrangements with Anheuser-Busch distributors, which have been and we expect will continue to be very important to Hansen. We believe that the combination of these two leading distribution systems will provide us with an unrivaled distribution network in North America.”

Under the agreements, a significant portion of Monster Energy®’s current North American Direct Store Delivery (“DSD”) volume will be serviced by Coca-Cola bottlers, primarily CCE.

The agreements in North America include all Monster Energy® trademark beverages including Monster Energy® and Java Monster™ as well as the Lost® Energy™ brand.

According to A.C. Nielsen data, Monster Energy® is the #1energy drink by volume in the United States.
“The Coca-Cola System has taken a multi-faceted approach to becoming one of the key players in the fast-growing energy drink category,” said Sandy Douglas, president, Coca-Cola North America. “We are pleased that our bottlers are now able to distribute this brand as part of our diverse portfolio of leading sparkling and still beverage brands in North America and Europe.”

In Western Europe, the agreement includes the distribution of Monster Energy® in all CCE European countries – Great Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Monaco.
“Monster Energy® drinks are strong additions to our energy portfolio, reinforcing our strategic priority of being #1 or a strong #2 in every category in which we choose to compete,” said John Brock, chairman and chief executive officer, Coca-Cola Enterprises. “Monster Energy® continues to outperform the energy category in the United States, and we look forward to bringing another proven brand to our territories in Western Europe.”

About Hansen Natural Corporation
Based in Corona, California, Hansen Natural Corporation markets and distributes Hansen’s® natural sodas, sparkling beverages, apple juice and juice blends, fruit juice smoothies, multi-vitamin juice drinks in aseptic packaging, iced teas, energy drinks, Junior Juice® juices and water beverages Energade® energy sports drinks, Blue Sky® brand beverages, Monster Energy® brand energy drinks, Monster Hitman™ energy shooters, Java Monster™ brand non-carbonated dairy based coffee drinks, Lost® Energy™ brand energy
drinks, Joker Mad Energy™, Unbound® Energy and Ace™ Energy brand energy drinks and Rumba®, Samba and Tango brand energy juices. For more information visit www.hansens.com and www.monsterenergy.com.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion-dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitamin water, Powerade, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our Web site at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About Coca-Cola Enterprises
Coca-Cola Enterprises is the world's largest marketer, distributor, and producer of bottle and can liquid nonalcoholic refreshment. Coca-Cola Enterprises sells approximately 80 percent of The Coca-Cola Company's bottle and can volume in North America and is the sole licensed bottler for products of The Coca-Cola Company in Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Monaco, and the Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.cokecce.com.

California Officials Try to Avoid Second Housing Hit

Parts of Southern California hit hard by the housing crisis are maneuvering to shape the Treasury Department's plan to buy up troubled assets so that it doesn't wind up causing a second wave of pain in their communities.

A development property is for sale in Colton, in California's San Bernardino county.

Officials in areas of the state hit hard by the housing crisis, such as San Bernardino county, are pushing for a federal bill that would let local businesses and governments buy up some of the distressed real estate to ensure that it doesn't fall into the hands of speculators who have no interest in the local community.
Officials in San Bernardino and Riverside counties are determined to avoid a repeat of what happened 20 years ago, when the savings-and-loan crisis led to a massive selloff of distressed real estate in the area by the federal government's Resolution Trust Corp. Many of those properties, including foreclosed homes, were sold at fire-sale prices to investors who unloaded them quickly. In some cases, entire neighborhoods of what had once been homeowners turned into largely rental communities, further depressing property values and delaying an economic rebound.

"We don't want the cure to be worse than the disease," said Steve PonTell, a business owner in the vast area east of Los Angeles known as the Inland Empire. He said he is worried that neighborhoods could be seriously damaged if the Treasury "dumps" real-estate assets in such a way that leads to absentee ownership.

Government representatives in the area are now scrambling to muster support for a federal bill that would allow local businesses and governments to buy up some of the real estate to make sure it doesn't fall into the hands of speculators who have no stake in the community. The bill, introduced Sept. 27 by Rep. Gary Miller, a Republican who represents some of the areas in Southern California hurting from the mortgage meltdown, promotes the formation of regional public-private partnerships that could buy homes in their geographic area from the Treasury. This approach, they argue, would help stabilize neighborhoods and maximize financial returns to taxpayers.

In the wake of the 1990s savings-and-loan crisis, said Patrick Morris, mayor of San Bernardino, "Our city was so severely impacted by the drama that we moved from a city of owner-occupied homes to a city of renters."

The concern in parts of Southern California illustrates the risks that could lie ahead for other communities as the Treasury begins a massive churn of assets. Depressed real-estate values in areas across the country could slide further if homes are sold to large financial investors who then flip them to others who want to make a quick profit.

Mr. Miller said he tried unsuccessfully to get his bill incorporated into last week's federal rescue package. He said he has spoken to other members of Congress who support the bill and that there is still time to debate the measure when Congress reconvenes in January.

"The U.S. government is now in the real-estate business," he said in an interview. In order to make a smart investment, the Treasury should try to ensure that the real estate gets sold back into the local communities, he said. "We need to look at this as a business deal for the American people."

In many parts of the Inland Empire, memories of the problems that erupted two decades ago are still fresh. In Moreno Valley, one of the communities where the RTC bought up numerous properties in the early 1990s, Jeff Burum, who at the time was a financial consultant to some large Wall Street investors, recalls that many homes that were taken back and sold or held by the RTC weren't properly managed and were allowed to deteriorate. Kids would break in and have parties on Friday nights. When windows broke, they weren't repaired. When neighbors tried to get them replaced, their phone calls wouldn't be returned, or they would be told by a local listing broker that "we don't manage the assets," said Mr. Burum, now chairman of Diversified Pacific, a Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., home builder.

The result was that property values in Moreno Valley fell below their already depressed values. Homes that sold for $120,000 to $150,000 fell to $100,000 during the downturn, but declined to $75,000 after too many homes were dumped onto the market at one time, he said.

Stan Ross, chairman of the University of Southern California's Lusk Center for Real Estate, said places like Moreno Valley already were suffering from substantially reduced values when the RTC took control. "It's so easy to blame the government in these situations," he cautioned.

Counties such as Riverside and San Bernardino are already trying to gear up for what is expected to be a massive real-estate sale once the Treasury program gains steam. Last week, they passed resolutions supporting the formation of the "Regional Asset Value Recovery Corporation," an Inland Empire partnership to "preserve and restore neighborhoods and communities."

So far, the initiative has backing from about 30 business owners and 15 cities in the two counties, all of them with the potential to become investors in the partnerships, said Lance Larson, legislative director for San Bernardino County. The partnerships could seek additional support from other investors and from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mr. Miller said.

Other regions that are suffering high levels of foreclosures, especially in Florida, are expected to explore forming their own partnerships.

Mr. Miller's hastily written bill, H.R. 7189, is vague about how the proposed public-private partnerships would work. It would allow the Treasury to retain a stake in any of the properties that the partnerships acquire. Mr. Miller argues that the local partnerships would have better odds of ensuring that the assets rise in value, thus allowing the Treasury to retain a stake and "greatly improve the likelihood that the federal government makes a profit."

One of the biggest challenges, however, will be the unbundling of assets intertwined with various kinds of complex securities. In order to attract regional buyers, the Treasury would first have to group different assets by geography.

Give it up to Corona, CA's Own Author of Cheescake Bible!

Who doesn’t relish the creamy delight of cheesecake? Yet many have still to discover the ease of making one at home. THE CHEESECAKE BIBLE (Robert Rose, October 2008, $24.95) by acclaimed baking instructor George Geary shows readers that cheesecake is both easy and fun to make at home, and includes 200 delectable cheesecake recipes to get started.

THE CHEESECAKE BIBLE includes recipes for every kind of traditional cake a baker could desire: fruit, vanilla, chocolate, citrus, and nut cakes. The book also features recipes for innovative savory treats and no-bake delights for days when it’s too hot to turn on the oven. These easy-to-follow recipes include:

Blue Ribbon Cheesecake
Italian Ricotta Cheesecake
Banana Split Cheesecake
Caramel Apple Cheesecake
White Chocolate Cheesecake
Cheddar Chili Cheesecake
Savory Herb Cheesecake

The book also teaches readers how to dress their cheesecake up with an entire section devoted to toppings like Fresh Strawberry Sauce, Marshmallow Sauce, Port Wine Berry Compote, and more. With its extensive baking tips and techniques and outstanding color photographs, THE CHEESECAKE BIBLE is destined to become the one-stop guide to everything cheesecake.

About the Author

George Geary teaches baking techniques in more than 100 cooking schools across North America every year. A regular contributing editor to magazines and newsletters, he has also been the pastry chef and production manager for the Walt Disney Company and the Marriott Corporation. His previous cheesecake book, 125 Cheesecake Recipes has more than 100,000 copies in print; this is his fifth book. George lives in Corona, CA.

THE CHEESECAKE BIBLE
By George Geary
Robert Rose
October 2008
Paperback/$24.95
ISBN: 978-0-7788-0192-4


Sample Recipes from THE CHEESECAKE BIBLE


Blue Ribbon Cheesecake

I have won numerous awards with this recipe, also affectionately called “Patty’s Favorite Cheesecake” after my mom, my biggest fan.

Serves 10 to 12

Crust
1-1/4 cups (300 mL) graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup (50 mL) unsalted butter, melted

Filling
4 packages (each 8 ounces/250 g) cream cheese, softened
1-1/4 cups (300 mL) granulated sugar
4 eggs
3 tablespoons (45 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon (5 mL) vanilla extract

Topping
1/2 cup (125 mL) sour cream
1/4 cup (50 mL) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon (15 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) vanilla extract

Decoration
2 cups (500 mL) fresh strawberries, sliced

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a 9-inch (23 cm) cheesecake pan, ungreased, or springform pan with 3-inch (7.5 cm) sides, greased.

Crust
In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of cheesecake pan and freeze.

Filling
In a mixer bowl fitted with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed until very smooth, for 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in lemon juice and vanilla.

Pour over frozen crust, smoothing out to sides of pan. Bake in preheated oven until top is light brown and center has a slight jiggle to it, 45 to 55 minutes. Let cool on the counter for 10 minutes (do not turn the oven off). The cake will sink slightly.

Topping
In a small bowl, combine sour cream, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla. Pour into center of cooled cake and spread out to edges. Bake for 5 minutes more. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 2 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours before decorating or serving.

Decoration
Top with sliced strawberries when completely chilled.

Tips
Zest lemons and limes before juicing and freeze the zest for another recipe. This cheesecake freezes well for up to 4 months before decorating. Defrost in the refrigerator the day before use and then decorate.

Variation
If fresh berries are not available, spread 1 cup (250 mL) strawberry preserves on top.

Lemongrass Cheesecake

Combining lemongrass and coconut milk with cheesecake creates a fusion that would be fun to serve after a Pacific Rim meal.

Serves 10 to 12

Crust
1-1/4 cups (300 mL) butter cookie crumbs
1/4 cup (50 mL) pecans, toasted and ground
3 tablespoons (45 mL) unsalted butter, melted

Filling
1 stalk fresh lemongrass, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup (125 mL) coconut milk
4 packages (each 8 ounces/250 g) cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 egg yolks
2 teaspoons (10 mL) vanilla extract

Decoration
Classic Whipped Cream Topping (see recipe, page 262)
1/4 cup (50 mL) shredded sweetened coconut, toasted (see tip, below)

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a 9-inch (23 cm) cheesecake pan, ungreased, or springform pan with 3-inch (7.5 cm) sides, greased.

Crust
In a bowl, combine cookie crumbs, pecans and butter. Press into bottom of cheesecake pan and freeze.

Filling
In a saucepan, cook lemongrass and coconut milk over medium heat until milk starts to bubble. Strain milk and discard lemongrass. Set aside.

In a mixer bowl fitted with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed until
very smooth, for 3 minutes. Add whole eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in coconut milk and vanilla.

Pour over frozen crust, smoothing out to sides of pan. Bake in preheated oven until top is light brown and center has a slight jiggle to it, 45 to 55 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 2 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours before decorating or serving.

Decoration
Ice top of cake with Classic Whipped Cream Topping or pipe rosettes around top of cake, if desired. Sprinkle with toasted coconut.

Tips
Lemongrass can be found in Asian markets and some supermarkets, often where the fresh herbs are displayed.
Coconut is often burned by pastry chefs. To avoid crying over burnt coconut, follow this technique. Spread coconut in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 3 minutes. Check the coconut and stir. Set the timer for another 3 minutes. Repeat until coconut is lightly browned.

Variation
Substitute whipping (35%) cream for the coconut milk.

Orange Honey Ricotta Cheesecake

The flavors of honey and oranges combine to make a great dessert. If you can find orange honey, by all means
use that for the honey in the recipe.

Serves 10 to 12

Crust
1-1/4 cups (300 m) graham cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon (15 mL) unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons (10 mL) liquid honey

Filling
1 pound (500 g) ricotta cheese, drained (see tip, below)
4 ounces (125 mL) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (125 mL) liquid honey
2 eggs
1/2 cup (125 mL) plain yogurt
1 tablespoon (15 mL) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 teaspoons (10 m) grated orange zest
1 teaspoon (5 mL) cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon (1 mL) salt
3 egg whites

Decoration
2 oranges
2 tablespoons (25 mL) liquid honey

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a 9-inch (23 cm) cheesecake pan, ungreased, or springform pan with 3-inch (7.5 cm) sides, greased.

Crust
In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter and honey. Press into bottom of cheesecake pan and freeze.

Filling
In a mixer bowl fitted with paddle attachment, beat ricotta cheese, cream cheese and honey on medium-high speed until very smooth, for 3 minutes. Add whole eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in yogurt, orange juice concentrate, orange zest, cornstarch and salt. Set aside.

In a clean mixer bowl fitted with whip attachment, whip egg whites on medium-high speed until stiff but not dry peaks form. Fold into cream cheese mixture carefully so as not to deflate the mixture.

Pour over frozen crust, smoothing out to sides of pan. Bake in preheated oven until top is light brown and center has a slight jiggle to it, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 2 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours before decorating or serving.

Decoration
Remove white pith and peel from oranges and cut into very thin slices. Arrange slices on top of cake. In a small saucepan over low heat, heat honey. Using a pastry brush, brush hot honey over orange slices. Chill before serving.

Tips
To drain ricotta, place a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl, place the cheese in the strainer and let stand in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight. Room temperature egg whites yield a much higher volume than cold whites. Save extra egg yolks in a small bowl in the refrigerator for up to 2 days by covering them with water and sealing tightly with plastic wrap. To freeze, sprinkle salt or sugar over the yolks in water.

BREAKING NEWS: EuroInn at Dos Lagos Approved by City of Corona: High-Tech Hotel Redefines Business Travel

Corona, CA: Today EuroInns celebrates the approval of their inaugural property in Corona, California. The hotel, built on the lakes of the award winning mixed-use Dos Lagos community, will open doors by the end of 2009.

The four-story, 133-room EuroInn will feature private, luxurious accommodations enhanced with the latest in technology and in-room entertainment ideal for the traveling professional.

“This milestone marks a new beginning in the lodging industry,” says Donald Sodaro, President and CEO of Hanford Hotels. “Unlike competitive brands that will be attempting to retrofit older, existing hotels, these features are at the core of our brand’s new physical plant.”

The EuroInn, located lakeside in the new Dos Lagos community, is situated a heartbeat away from residential, business and retail locations, exclusive restaurants, a 15-screen movie theater, and an 18-hole championship golf course, making it the most convenient, all-inclusive destination in the area.

“The concept of a EuroInn is ultimately about efficiency. By creating an optimal environment of comfort and connectivity, we are eliminating barriers to productivity,” Sodaro notes. “Using the multimedia interface and flat panel HD-TV included in every room, it’s just as easy for an executive to practice tomorrow’s big presentation as it is for a young filmmaker to relax and review the day’s footage or order a movie.”

And the efficiency doesn’t stop at the full-body shower spas and I-pod docking stations. The EuroInns concept will strive to lead the industry in environmental sensitivity and energy efficiency. Ergonomically sensitive heating and air conditioning units provide the guest with complete environmental control, while a centralized energy management system affords hotel management the control of each individual guest room’s HVAC units and lighting systems when rooms are not in use.

“Environmental sensitivity has played a large role in this project,” said Sodaro. “From the start we have felt a natural synergy with the conscientiously ‘green’ Dos Lagos community.”

Dos Lagos is the 2007 recipient of the California Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for Sustainable Communities – considered the state’s highest environmental honor.

The goal of EuroInns is to ensure that the comfort and enjoyment of each guest is of such quality and consistency that it remains transparent and unobtrusive. By combining these traits with the most cutting edge technologies, EuroInns guests are assured to be as productive and connected as today’s sophisticated clientele demands.

About EuroInns
EuroInns is affiliated with Hanford Hotels, Inc. – both headquartered in Orange County, Calif. Both companies share ownership, but are distinct operations specializing in different niche markets.

Hanford Hotels manages and operates five hotel properties totaling almost 1,000 rooms in five separate cities. All leaders in their markets, these properties are distinguished by their respective brands for product quality and guest satisfaction on a national scale. Deeply grounded in the local communities, Hanford Hotels constantly strives to create awareness and initiate improvements in the environment, education, health, and the arts.

Hanford Hotels has enjoyed tremendous financial and developmental success, its heartbeat stemming from its core founding principal: We are people caring for people.

EuroInns is dedicated to its own brand of high-tech, high-comfort revolutionary properties. An innovator in the hospitality industry, EuroInns, Inc. is focused on the design and development of its own technologically advanced brand of select service properties. Founded in 2003 by lodging industry veteran and renowned entrepreneur Donald E. Sodaro, the company draws upon the significant talents and experience of his Hanford Hotels, Inc. management team as well as key players in the fields of Design and Information Technology.

Foreclosure Alley in the Inland Empire: A MUST SEE VIDEO!

Business News: GOOD BYE 'CITY GRILLE'...HELLO 'AT MY PLACE'...

Restaurant to be re-named and expanded!

Corona's Business Expo held at Crossroads Church Oct. 7th, 2008

The Corona Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Business Expo will soon be here!

Be sure to mark your calanders as you won't want to miss this great opportunity to meet some of the many businesses at the Chamber of Commerce, all in one place!

Come on over to the Crossroads Church (located at 2331 Kellogg Ave. just off Ontario St. in Corona) on Tuesday October 7th beginning at 9:00am.

This yearly event features many local vendors, services, and programs located here in Corona.

For more information please contact the Chamber of Commerce at (951) 737-3350.

BJ's Restaurants Opens in Chino Hills, California

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. today announced the opening of its newest restaurant in Chino Hills, California, on September 29, 2008. The new BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is located in the Commons at Chino Hills, a new 555,000 square foot retail center at 4585 Chino Hills Parkway. The restaurant is approximately 9,000 square feet, contains seating for approximately 280 guests and features BJ's extensive menu that includes BJ's signature deep-dish pizza, award-winning handcrafted beer and our famous Pizookie(R) dessert. BJ's highly detailed, contemporary decor and unique video statement, including several high definition flat panel televisions, creates a high energy, fun and family-friendly dining environment for everyone to enjoy. Hours of operation are from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

"We are delighted to open BJ's in Chino Hills," commented Jerry Deitchle, Chairman and CEO. "Our new restaurant is located in a densely populated, mature trade area in our core Southern California market, where the BJ's concept enjoys strong brand awareness and sales volumes. Our Chino Hills restaurant represents our 12th restaurant opening to date during 2008. We currently remain on track to open as many as three more restaurants before the end of the year and thereby achieve our stated goal to increase our operating weeks by 20% to 25% for the full year."

Temecula's Haunted Old Town

Temecula's Haunted Old Town Nightmare on Main Street

In the Theater District

October 23 to November 1st
Thursdays through Saturdays
3 Different Mazes
Spooky Streets
Monster Movies

For the Little Ones (My Favorites)

LIGHTS ON TOURS from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. October 30 and 31st

High School Students can get their Community Service Hours during this event.

Open casting call September 27th

10:00-1:00

Old Town Temecula Community Theater

42051 Main Street, Temecula, CA 92591

Call for more info: 866-963-7262

Inland Empire professors say housing stabilization plan has potential

A federal plan to send millions of dollars to the Inland Empire to help local governments buy and re-sell foreclosed homes could be positive for the local economy, a pair of area professors said.

Government officials in San Bernardino and Riverside county agencies are set to receive about $125 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to fuel redevelopment work. Nationwide, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program calls for the feds to pass out $3.92 billion.

The program is based on the idea that if local officials can convert recently vacated dwellings into actual homes, they can prevent some foreclosed houses from becoming economic black holes that suck property values from surrounding homes.

UC Riverside economist Mason Gaffney said that although he did know the details of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, the basic thrust of the policy seems to be a step in the right direction.

Gaffney maintained that using federal dollars to rehabilitate abandoned homes is more credible than the proposed $700 billion Wall Street bailout that the House of Representatives rejected on Monday.

"It makes a lot more sense than bailing out the crooks on Wall Street. That's a loser from the start," Gaffney said. "The public has risen up against it and their representatives have heard them."

The bailout, as proposed and supported by President Bush and House leadership, would have allowed the federal government to assume billions in new debt to buy troubled mortgages from private investors.

Bailout supporters said the gambit was necessary to prevent economic turmoil, the worry being that American commerce would slow to a crawl if banks cannot make new loans while rotten mortgages remain on their books.

Opponents cried foul at the notion of asking taxpayers to support a plan to rescue institutions that assumed capitalism's inherent risks when the moment they entered the subprime mortgage business.

Gaffney said he likes the stabilization plan's focus on rebuilding vacant properties and Washington's decision to allow local authorities to decide how to use the money in their own communities.

"You've got bumblers at every level, but they (municipal officials) are motivated," he said.
Jim Mulvihill, a geography professor at Cal State San Bernardino who studies urban planning, said the federal program "will at least make a dent" in the Inland Empire's foreclosure problem.

Mulvihill said much of the plan's ultimate success will rest on local redevelopment officials' abilities to put federal dollars to good use.

"It's a good program if you've got people in the ... (Economic Development Agency) who are virtually in the mortgage business themselves," Mulvihill said.

In this regard, he praised Carey Jenkins, the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency official working on the program.

San Bernardino is set to receive $8.4 million to put vacant homes back on the market. Jenkins has said that skillful negotiations may make it possible for the EDA to acquire as many as 100 foreclosed homes.

More than 1,700 San Bernardino homes have been foreclosed upon between Aug. 2007 and Aug. 2008, according to Jenkins.

Mulvihill was more reserved in its praise while discussing the federal requirement that 25 percent of stabilization grants be used to house low-income persons.

In San Bernardino, that could mean EDA officials would be mandated to help individuals or families earning less than $25,000 per year, Mulvihill said.

On one hand, Mulvihill said it's understandable that officials would want to more people to own their own homes, but somebody who makes less than $25,000 is likely to have trouble paying for the repairs and routine maintenance that goes alone with owning one's own castle.

"What happens if the furnace goes out?," Mulvihill asked. "For any homeowner, you don't want that to happen."

Agencies using Neighborhood Stabilization dollars are required to craft a plan to use the money by Dec. 1. The federal government requires the money to be spent within 18 months.

Riverside, CA Office Goes for $1M

Lawyers Purchase Property to Occupy and Lease Out

The office building at 3941 Brockton Ave. in Riverside, CA, sold for $1 million or about $275 per square foot in a sale between two private parties. The buyer is a law firm that plans to occupy a portion of the building and lease out the remaining space.

The 3,650-square-foot building is between Ninth Street and 10th Street, and about a block away from White Park and Market Street.

The sale was a direct negotiation with no outside representation.

AmWear Leases Corona, CA Facility

AmWear International signed 48-month sublease for the industrial building at 250 Benjamin Dr. in Corona, CA. The uniform manufacturer subleased the space from stone and tile products provider Aqua Mix for about $1.76 million.

The 72,925-square-foot manufacturing facility was built in 1999 and sits on 4.72 acres. Features include six dock-high doors and four ground-level drive-in doors.

EVERYONE STOP: Corona Chamber Releases Statement on Financial Crisis!

Rachel Rola, Chairman of the Corona Chamber's Board of Directors and Cynthia Schneider, Chairman of the Corona Chamber's Legislative Action Committee issued a letter this morning to United States Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and Congressman Ken Calvert in response to the current financial crisis facing our nation:

Dear Senator Feinstein, Senator Boxer and Congressman Calvert:

The Corona Chamber of Commerce urges Congress to immediately pass the bipartisan financial rescue package to stem the financial panic. Congress must not adjourn without taking action to stabilize the financial markets.

Yesterday’s failure to approve legislation addressing the financial crisis has resulted in uncertainty and turmoil that have dramatically affected the markets, and lowered equity prices, eroding individual savings and destroying billions of dollars of household wealth. Make no mistake: when the aftermath of Congressional inaction becomes clear, Americans will not tolerate those who stood by and let the calamity happen. If, on the other hand, Congress supports a plan to successfully restore the financial system and preserve the flow of credit to the economy, the American people will recognize that act of courage.

The Chamber urges Congress to immediately pass financial rescue legislation.